July 9, 2026 · 10 min

Crispy Smashed Cheeseburgers with Old Bay Broccoli and Special Sauce

Side Dish10 min2951 cal / serving

Get ready for the ultimate burger experience: thin, crispy patties with lacy edges, smothered in gooey white cheddar and piled high with sweet caramelized onions. A tangy special sauce ties it all together, while Old Bay-roasted broccoli adds a crunchy, flavorful side.

The secret to these burgers is the smash technique-pressing balls of ground beef flat in a hot pan creates maximum surface area for browning. The result is a juicy, savory patty with irresistible crispy bits. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels like a treat!

Recipe details

Side Dish10 min2951 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories2951 kcalProtein39.1 gFat254.6 gCarbs103.9 gSugar73.7 gFiber5.8 gSodium1541 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: containsSesame: not detectedMustard: containsCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.

Ingredients

Potatoesounce PotatoesView ingredient guide
Onion1 unit OnionView ingredient guide
White Cheddar Cheese0.5 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guide
Broccoli8 ounce BroccoliView ingredient guide
Ground Beef10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guide
Ketchup1 unit KetchupView ingredient guide
Mayonnaise2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guide
Potato Buns2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guide
Dijon Mustard2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guide
Saltteaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide
Sugar1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil4 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce. Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges. Halve, peel and thinly slice onion.
  2. Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil and half the Old Bay Seasoning. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast on top rack until browned and crispy, 20-25 minutes.
  3. While potatoes roast, heat a large drizzle of oil in a medium nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Add 1 tsp sugar and a splash of water; cook until onion is caramelized and jammy, 2-3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl.
  4. In a second small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and remaining Old Bay Seasoning to taste. Set aside. Form beef into two equal-size balls; season all over with salt and pepper.
  5. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add beef balls. Firmly flatten each with a spatula to create very thin patties. Cook until desired doneness, 3-4 minutes per side. In the last 1-2 minutes, top patties with cheddar; cover pan to melt cheese. Remove from heat.
  6. While patties cook, halve and toast buns. Divide buns between plates and fill with patties, caramelized onion and half the special sauce. Serve burgers with Old Bay fries on the side and remaining special sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

For extra crispy patties, make sure the pan is very hot before adding the beef.

Don’t over-season the potatoes; Old Bay already contains salt and pepper.

If the onion starts to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, you can substitute white cheddar with your favorite melting cheese like American, provolone or Monterey Jack.

How do I prevent the patties from sticking?

Use a well-oiled pan and a sturdy spatula. Press down firmly but carefully to avoid splattering.

Can I make the special sauce ahead?

Absolutely! The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

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